Authors Note: ' -etc.- ' indicates Arabic.

CHAPTER 3: What we fear the most is what we've left behind.

They stood there in complete silence for several moments- all of them. It was only when Alex fervently murmured his fathers' name that anyone moved or spoke. "What happened to him?" Rick asked, looking straight at Jonathan, eyes boring holes into his brother in laws, demanding answers, "Alex, are you alright?"

"He broke his leg, I don't know if that's all he did, but it's pretty bad. The skin's broken, and he'll be needing some medical attention before too long. Oh, bloody hell!" He then turned his attention to Alex who was moving his head side to side, emitting little painful gasps as he did so. His body glistened with sweat, and the leg that Jonathan was trying so hard not to jar was extremely swollen. "Say partner, what do you think about us finding you someplace to lie down? How about it?" Focusing his attention back on Rick, he inquired, "What do we do? Anyone got any bright ideas?"

"Well, we could always go for the 'getting your friend shot in the ass' scenario, though I don't know how well it will work out." Izzy stated sarcastically.

"You, shut up!" Rick's eyes narrowed into slits, as he pointed an accusing finger at his friend. "The last thing I need right now are smart aleck comments from the peanut gallery!"

Izzy gulped, swallowing too much air as he did so, the result was a strained, "Sorry, O'Connell."

"Oh, and another thing, my name is Rick, it is not O'Connell, or whatever you call me!" Evelyn's hand on his forearm made him stop. He had gotten carried away again. He lowered his view and muttered, "Sorry Izzy, I didn't mean that. You can call me whatever you like." Then he added in at the last minute, "With some exceptions."

"Well, I think we should keep looking in the wreck. We can see if there is anything useable left." With reassuring nods from the rest of them Evelyn continued. "Then...well, Jonathan, since you already have Alex," a look of great concern flitted across her face as she mentioned her son's name, "why don't you stay here with him for the time being? We will look around, see what we can rummage out, and meet you back here." They all turned to walk away, but the snapping of fingers quietly drew Evie back.

"Hey, Evie, come here for a sec." Jonathan half-whispered. "Do you think you could look for the diamond? You know, the one I took from the pyramid?" His eyes darted nervously from side to side, as if someone were watching and he didn't want them to know. "The big, shiny bugger?"

"Oooh, Jonathan, the things I do for you!" She gave him a big hug from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly. Then, leaning down she parted the hair on her son's forehead and planted a gentle kiss upon his heated skin. "I love you Alex." She murmured, her eyes brimming with tears.

~*~

Flashes of black robes and galloping horses were visible through the lightning that struck through a blackened sky in turmoil. The heavens roiled and bucked under the energy that surged through them, like the horses below. When the heat did rush to the ground the beasts were seen ornately decorated. Their long flowing manes were woven through with colorful tapestries. Tassels hung from the ends, nostrils flaring with their exertions. To any onlooker the mood set would be of fear. Glimpses of dark shapes darted like bats through the wind streaked and rain soaked sand. Evil prevailed.

On they went, playing a game of cat and mouse with the lightning. The only noise that could be heard above the tumult of the storm was of screaming animals. The sound was hideous, stripping your ears of all privacy. Ardeth turned away from the awful site before him, praying that his friends were up in the sky, far away from the mayhem beneath.

~*~

'- Do they have any knowlege of what they carry, my Lord?-'

'-No. None. But, we will still attack. My warriors cannot be recalled now.-'

'-Yes m'Lord.-'

'-I sense victory upon us this night. Let's hope we stay around to enjoy it.-'

'-Yes m'Lord. Sleep well your excellency.-' With that and a nodded bow the servant left his master to his own doings, extinguishing the flaming torch by the door on his way out.

All that was visible in the dying firelight was of a dark head, heavy with a mat of onyx hair upon it. The robes that flowed about him were Bedouin in origin. The gold trim shimmered in a way one would think magical...But, this 'thing' was far from magical... It was mythical.